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Democratic Legitimacy, Public Justification and Environmental Direct Action

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  • Mathew Humphrey

Abstract

This article addresses the question of whether environmental direct action against policies or institutions that are recognised as democratically legitimate can be justified. Arguments that seek to tie environmental outcomes to stipulated requirements of either the democratic process or distributive theories of justice are found wanting in this regard. However, one of the central justifications for the losers in a democratic settlement accepting defeat is policy reversibility. The non‐reversible element in significant areas of environmental change entails that environmentalists are forced to play a ‘one‐shot’ political strategy. This fact lends support to the justification of environmental direct action in such cases, although it may also apply beyond the sphere of environmental politics.

Suggested Citation

  • Mathew Humphrey, 2006. "Democratic Legitimacy, Public Justification and Environmental Direct Action," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 54(2), pages 310-327, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:polstu:v:54:y:2006:i:2:p:310-327
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2006.00602.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Beckerman, Wilfred & Pasek, Joanna, 2001. "Justice, Posterity, and the Environment," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199245086.
    2. John Parkinson, 2003. "Legitimacy Problems in Deliberative Democracy," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 51(1), pages 180-196, March.
    3. Robert E. Goodin & Simon J. Niemeyer, 2003. "When Does Deliberation Begin? Internal Reflection versus Public Discussion in Deliberative Democracy," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 51(4), pages 627-649, December.
    4. Ulph, Alistair & Ulph, David, 1997. "Global Warming, Irreversibility and Learning," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 107(442), pages 636-650, May.
    5. Robert E. Goodin & Simon J. Niemeyer, 2003. "When Does Deliberation Begin? Internal Reflection versus Public Discussion in Deliberative Democracy," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 51, pages 627-649, December.
    6. Dryzek, John S. & List, Christian, 2003. "Social Choice Theory and Deliberative Democracy: A Reconciliation," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 33(1), pages 1-28, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephen Morse, 2008. "Post-sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(5), pages 341-352.

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